3D Printing Put to Creative Use by Winners of RESHAPE 17 Competition

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, with the TCT Show last week, followed by this week’s IN(3D)USTRY conference in Barcelona. There’s been a lot to see here at IN(3D)USTRY this week, and one of the most exciting events to happen so far was the RESHAPE 17: Programmable Skins competition, which challenged participants to create wearable products that act as prosthetic skins while also emphasizing the connection between data, users and the environment. 10 finalists were selected out of the many entrants, with winners announced at a ceremony earlier today. The finalists included:

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  Graduated Spine Support System

  Textile the Skin – Mingjing Lin and Yingjun Li

• Be [in the] Water – Núria Diago Camps and Maria Carrion Ametller
• Awelectric – Kristin Neidlinger, Edwin Dertien, Loe Feijs David, David Goedicke, Emiel Harmsen, Elena Mitro and Colin Willson
• Biome_Dirty – Mahdiar Ghaffarian, Josh Taron, Jordan Demer, Fiona Ramsay, and Laura Whittingham
• Graduated Spine Support System – Snezhana Paderina, Nikita Replyanski, Maria Replyanski, and Christoper Diaz
• Water-Driven Breathing Skin – Montakan Manosong, Irene Alaya Castro, Chieh Chang, and Zina Alkani
• Thermocromics Autism Thermal Regulation – Nada Elsonni
• Nua Hydrasuit – Ashley Kubley, Heekyoung Jung, and Myoung Kim
• Skaai – Skin as an Interface – Andre’ Nakonz
• Coral Love Story | Chapter #1 – Kasia Molga, Ricardo O’Nascimento, and Erik Overmeire

The winner was Graduated Spine Support System, presented by Snezhana Paderina, Nikita Replyanski, Maria Replyanski, and Christoper Diaz. If Paderina’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she just presented some of her other innovative 3D printed wearable creations as well. The Graduated Spine Support System is a corset-like device designed to provide dynamic back support for people with medical conditions that cause joint hypermobility and chronic musculoskeletal issues.

The system includes an integrated neural network that gathers data about the wearer, allowing it to adjust to his or her rigidity and support level. It’s composed of high-performance tech fabrics and 3D printed components integrated with the neural network. It was developed with the goal of reinventing the orthopedic brace, allowing wearers to have tailored spinal support as well as a wide range of mobility – and a fashionable look, as well. The system looks less like a traditional back brace and more like a high-fashion, high-tech corset.

“The graduated spine support system is also designed to enhance existing musculature and secure the spinal column to provide an adaptive ‘super power’ that can be utilized for people performing strenuous tasks such as moving furniture or working in a warehouse,” said Paderina.

Second place went to Be [in the] Water, a team composed of Núria Diago Camps and Maria Carrion Ametller. The device is a nose clip for swimming, 3D printed in a Voronoi structure and specially adapted to each individual wearer. The 3D model for the clip is made by taking a 3D scan of the wearer’s nose, and adapting a Voronoi mesh over its surface. It is then 3D printed in nylon. The Be [in the] Water clip was developed with synchronized swimmers in mind and also looks like a fashion accessory while serving as a functional piece.

Each finalist brought something truly unique and impressive to the competition, and it’s certainly worth taking a look at all of them here.

“There is no actual winner,” said Aldo Sollazzo, one of the competition’s organizers. “This is an award ceremony, but the award is to be here.”

Personally, we’d have to agree.

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[All images: Sarah Goehrke]